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10 Reasons Why Backpacking as a Couple Beats Going Solo

Backpacking as a couple can present some unique challenges that you might never experience if you were still at home. This coupled with the standard stress and excitement that comes along with long trips away, and you’ve got yourself a recipe that’s going to go one way or the other. Lots of people say that travelling as a couple will either make you or break you, and we’d agree there is a certain amount of tension associated with spending 24 hours a day, 7 days a week with one person…but we also don’t believe it’s as bad as all that either!
All you need to do is keep in mind the following 10 reasons why taking on your backpacking adventure as a couple is the best way to do it, and you should return home stronger than ever.

You can split duties

If you’re on your own, you’re responsible for everything. Bus times, money, food; anything you need is down to you, and you alone. But when you’re in a couple, suddenly those tasks can be shared and split based on who’s strength lies where. Are you better at organisational tasks? No worries! You can plan the itineraries and make sure you both turn up for the bus on time. Or if you’re better at budgeting and haggling in the markets, keep an eye on the money and get things as cheap as possible.

Sharing is caring

Got too much stuff in your bag? Don’t even worry about it, you can put it in your partner’s bag instead and they can help carry it for you. Chances are one of you is stronger than the other, so it’s only fair right? This is also handy if you’re feeling a bit unwell one day and need a bit less weight on your back.

You’re safer

If you’re travelling on your own or in a couple, you’re going to meet a wide array of people from different walks of life. The difference if you’re a single traveller is that there’s always more of an element of vulnerability than when you’re couples backpacking. There are lots of stories from single women travellers in particular warning of the dangers that can come from being alone, so hold on tight to your backpacking partner and appreciate the safety that extra person can bring.

More organisation

Two people means two alarms, two sets of eyes on the schedules, two sets of eyes on the money…the list goes on! If there’s two of you, there’s less chance something will be missed or overlooked. No more missing the bus or getting out of bed late.

Eat more food!

We’ve all been there. You’re starving, you’re looking at the menu and you want to try everything you can see. The beauty of having someone else there is that you don’t have to choose anymore. You can both order what you want and split it, meaning you both get to try and experience more foods than you would if you were on your own. It might work out a bit cheaper too, especially if you don’t fancy a full meal each.

Budget goes further

This might seem difficult to believe because there’s two of you. How can the budget last longer? But trust us, in some situations your money will go further with two of you and you’ll be glad there’s an extra person there. Sometimes a double room is the same price as a single one, sometimes you get discounts on travel tickets if you buy more than one…and even if there isn’t any money off, whichever one of you can haggle the best can get something out of it.

Don’t worry

You know when you’re out with friends, you need to pop to the loo and you ask them to watch your stuff while you’re gone? Well it’s the same concept if you’re backpacking as a couple! No one likes to leave their bags unattended, especially if your backpack holds absolutely everything you have in the world. Get your partner to keep an eye on your stuff while you nip off, and you’ll have peace of mind it’s safe while you’re gone.

It’s familiar

People say if you’re backpacking for the first time then you expect to feel pretty homesick for the first few weeks. We think this would probably happen to the most independent of you because let’s face it, being on the other side of the world so far from home with no return flight is pretty daunting. If you’re couples backpacking, then this might ease the process a bit because they are a familiar face that connects you with home. Be that comfort for each other and it might help you get over the homesickness a little bit quicker.

Now for some soppy stuff

When you’re at home you wake up together, go to work for 8 hours and spend some time together in the evening. When you’re backpacking you’re with each other 24/7. This is perhaps the thing that will be most likely to make you or break you, but we say embrace it! You’re going to make new incredible memories together, you’re going to take care of each other and you’re going to get to know each other in ways that you might never get to do if you weren’t out in the world.

Photos, photos and more photos!

The world is a beautiful place full of the most incredible scenery that you will, of course, do your utmost to capture. When travelling alone you have the option of taking a scenery shot, or an awkward selfie with less than half the scenery in the background. But backpacking as a couple means you’ll have lots of amazing photos of yourself in beautiful places that aren’t at a weird angle. The occasional couple’s selfie is permitted.

Of course none of this is even relevant if you haven’t got yourselves backpacking travel insurance for couples. This is possibly the most important thing about your trip that you’ll do together! Your trip will be incredible and you’ll do things you never thought you’d do, but sometimes things do go wrong and you can’t predict it. It’s better to be as prepared as you can be and get yourselves one of our Longstay Backpacker policies to make sure you’re covered for all activities and eventualities. Get a quote here.